Key points from the USDA’s announcement concerning the early termination of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts.

• The goal is to make it easier for the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including family members, to acquire land.
• USDA technical teams will determine which acres are ready to be productive with minimal impact on overall conservation efforts.
• If land is determined to be ready a landowner can terminate their CRP contract early without being required to repay all previous payments plus interest.
• This policy waives repayment requirements if the land is being transferred to a beginning farmer or rancher through sale or lease with the option to buy.
• By clearing some of these CRP acres from the programs 24 million acre cap the USDA will be able to enroll other land with a higher conservation value.

For more information and details on this early termination opportunity visit www.fsa.usda.gov/crp or read the complete announcement at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Nebraska/news-releases/2016/stnr_ne_20161230_rel_408.